Late August, in the skies above Broad Cloud Ward.
A Flying Boat shaped like a screw snail descended in a shimmering glow, but stopped outside Li Chen's private residence in the Inner Valley rather than at the public Air Harbor.
This Flying Boat belonged to the Golden Sun Gate. Its managing elder, Yu Youxian, had personally led a delegation here to escort the five-star Battle Puppet, the "Yu Xiao Tiger."
"Fellow Daoist Yu, eleven years apart, and you're as radiant as ever."
Li Chen looked Yu Youxian up and down. She wore a flowing gown trimmed with silver thread, its water-blue cloud brocade like clear ripples, suffused with an unusual spiritual glow. Her features were exquisite, and the passing years seemed to have left no trace on her face. She was right at the age when a female Foundation Establishment cultivator possessed her greatest grace and charm.
Yu Youxian glanced at him, then turned her gaze toward Mei Xuan, who had come over out of curiosity. "Who is she?"
Li Chen said, "Just someone I use to get things done. Don't mind the details."
Mei Xuan secretly gritted her teeth. She really wanted to strangle this fellow on the spot.
Yu Youxian murmured an acknowledgment, her expression unreadable. There was no telling what she was thinking.
"Peak Master Li, we have come to hand over the five-star Battle Puppet, the Yu Xiao Tiger, as instructed by our sect. Would you like to proceed with the handover now?"
A five-star Battle Puppet was a matter of great importance. Yu Youxian merely held the nominal position of delegation leader; those actually handling the work were seasoned, steady people valued by the sect.
An elderly man now stepped forward and interjected, addressing Li Chen respectfully.
Li Chen was now an established Grand Artisan